Manohar Parrikar warns DPU officials on 'unnecessary' foreign visits

The fresh instructions come after Parrikar told PSU CMDs in July to take his personal approval before leaving for a foreign private visit.

NEW DELHI: Cracking a whip on frequent foreign travels by defence public sector unit personnel on official business, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has warned that such visits should only be undertake on ‘absolute need basis’ and in organizational interest. In a stern message, Parrikar has cautioned that ‘proposals for foreign tours and visits are being received from DPUs and OFB (Ordnance Factory Board) without sufficient justification’ and has asked officials to send details of all proposed visits well in advance to the ministry.

A set of instructions sent on 26 August with Defence Minister’s approval, specify that the top level management should undertake foreign visits only when ‘serious organisation interest’ is involved. “These should be undertaken on absolute need basis and must contribute towards organisation’s measureable outcome. The size of the delegation and the duration of the visit must be in accordance with functional necessity,” the instructions state.

Sources said that the minister has taken exception to often inflated delegations of PSU officials going abroad for events like expositions, shows and factory visits on the exchequers expense, without showing concrete results.

The fresh instructions come after Parrikar told PSU CMDs in July to take his personal approval before leaving for a foreign private visit. As reported by ET, while in the past, CMDs could get away with convincing the Secretary Defence Production for such visits, Parrikar instructed that he would personally clear each case for leave for a foreign visit.

Modi government had laid down new norms after it came into power last year. In the first set of instructions issued in June 2014 on foreign travel of officials, the Cabinet Secretary had warned that PM Modi had expressed his concern on proposals for travel abroad coming in at the last minute. The top babu had also instructed officials to submit a post visit report on the outcome of the tour.